10 Natural Foods That Prevent Cancer You Should Eat More

According to research, the foods are good in preventing cancer naturally.

10. Indoles

Indoles, found in the cabbage family, can destroy or otherwise inactivate estrogen. Estrogen is known to initiate new cancers, especially breast cancer.

Food

Cabbage family: cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, mustard green, etc.

Protective Action

Destroys estrogen, known to initiate new cancers, especially breast cancer.

9. Isoflavones

This is one of the more exciting areas of cancer prevention. Isoflavones, predominantly found in legumes, have been shown to inhibit or block estrogen receptors thereby prohibiting the cell from its normal cellular function without estrogen.

Isoflavones also inhibit estrogens from being effective in the first place, and have been shown to destroy certain cancer gene enzymes that can propagate and transform a normal cell into a cancer cell.

8. Lignans

Lignans are predominantly found in flaxseed, walnuts, and fatty fish. Each of these is an excellent source of omega-3 fatty acids, which are known to inhibit the production of prostaglandins, hormones that modulate cell metabolism.

Numerous studies have shown that omega-3 fatty acids have been used to reduce cholesterol, hypertension, heart disease, and the risk for developing breast cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, and multiple sclerosis. Lignans have also been shown to inhibit the action of estrogens on cells that are responsive to estrogen.

7. Polyacetylene

Polyacetylene, mainly found in parsley, inhibits the action of prostaglandins and destroys a potent carcinogen called benzopyrene.

Food

Parsley

Protective Action

Inhibits prostaglandins; destroys benzopyrene, a potent carcinogen.

6. Protease Inhibitors

Protease inhibitors, mainly found in soybean, have been shown to inhibit the development of colon cancer, lung cancer, mouth cancer, liver cancer, and esophageal cancers in animals. Protease inhibitors do this by inhibiting the action of the enzymes chymotrypsin and trypsin, as well as by preventing the conversion of normal cells to malignant cells in the early stages of carcinogenesis, but not in the late stages. These protease inhibitors have been shown to cause an irreversible suppressive effect on the process of carcinogenesis. They can also inhibit oncogene expression.

Food

Soybeans

Protective Action

Destroys enzymes that can cause cancer to spread.

5. Quinones

Quinones are mainly found in rosemary, and these chemical agents have been shown to inhibit carcinogens and co-carcinogens, chemicals that help carcinogens work more effectively to cause cancer.

Food

Rosemary

Protective Action

Inhibits carcinogens or co-carcinogens.

4. Sterols

Sterols are mainly found in cucumbers, especially the skin of cucumbers. Sterols have been shown to decrease cholesterol; and by lowering the cholesterol, you lower most of the fat content that is linked and associated with multiple cancers, including colon and rectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer, and cancer of the uterus, endometrial cancer.

Food

Cucumbers

Protective Action

Decreases cholesterol.

3. Sulfur

Sulfur is found in large amounts of garlic. Garlic has been used in Japan as a painkiller. The National Cancer Institute, the United States Department of Agriculture, and Loma Linda University are currently studying garlic as an immune system enhancer, a cancer preventive agent, a blood clot inhibitor, and an agent to lower high blood pressure. Sulfur compounds from garlic inhibit carcinogens, and inhibit the enzymes that allow cancers to spread.

Food

Garlic

Protective Action

Inhibits carcinogens, inhibits cancer spread, decreases cholesterol.

2. Terpenes

Terpenes are mainly found in citrus fruits. The National Cancer Institute is sponsoring studies to investigate the use of vitamin C and citrus fruits to treat certain viruses, to lower blood cholesterol, to reduce arterial plaque, and to prevent certain forms of cancer. Terpenes also have been shown to increase enzymes known to break down carcinogens.

Food

Citrus fruit

Protective Action

Increases enzymes to break down carcinogens; decreases cholesterol.

1. Triterpenoids

Triterpenoids are found in licorice. The National Cancer Institute is studying the potential of licorice to fight cancer, protect the liver, and slow cell mutation. Triterpenoids inhibit estrogens, prostaglandins, and slow down rapidly dividing cells like cancer cells to prevent them from having daughter cells.